With the variety of vegetables, fruits, legumes, and grains available, vegetarian dining is more interesting and varied than ever. Like everyone else, vegetarians need to keep an eye on fat, calories, and cholesterol while ensuring they also get adequate nutrients.

Some vegetarians are concerned about getting enough protein; however, because many plant foods (with the exception of fruits) are rich in protein, getting enough protein usually isn't an issue. The nutrients more likely to be lacking in a vegetarian diet include vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, iron, and zinc. Good vegetarian sources of these nutrients include:

Vitamin D: Milk is fortified with vitamin D. If you do not drink milk, look for breakfast cereals and soymilk fortified with the nutrient.

Calcium: If you consume two to three servings of milk, cheese, and yogurt daily, your calcium intake should be adequate. If you avoid dairy products, opt for green leafy vegetables, calcium-fortified orange juice, fortified soymilk, soy cheese, and tofu.